UN, rights groups blame Taliban over missing journalists

The Taliban have arrested two Afghan journalists working for a local news channel, rights groups and the United Nations said, weeks after two women activists went missing. 

The Afghan Media Association - a newly formed journalists' rights group - said Ariana TV reporters Waris Hasrat and Aslam Hijab were picked up by the Taliban on Monday "and taken to an unknown location".

Without naming the Taliban, an official at Ariana said the reporters were seized by masked gunmen in front of the channel's office as they went out for lunch.

But he said Taliban officials "have assured us of a comprehensive investigation".

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) also expressed concern over their whereabouts.

"UN urges Taliban to make public why they detained these ArianaNews reporters and to respect Afghans' rights," it said on Twitter. 

READ MORE: Taliban arrests popular Afghan professor Faizuallah Jalal

Amnesty International, meanwhile, demanded on Twitter that the Taliban "unconditionally and immediately" release the pair.

A Taliban spokesman said that he had no information on the missing journalists.

Since seizing power in August, the Taliban have cracked down on dissent by detaining critics and forcefully dispersing protests against their regime.

Several Afghan journalists have also been beaten while covering rallies not approved by authorities.

READ MORE: Taliban officials beat journalists covering women’s protest in Kabul

Missing women

A fortnight ago, two women activists went missing after taking part in a demonstration in Kabul calling for women's rights.

On Tuesday, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed concern for them and four of their relatives, who are also missing.

The Taliban denied knowledge of their whereabouts, and say they are investigating.

The UN said it was alarmed by what appeared to be a "pattern of arbitrary arrests... as well as torture and ill-treatment" of civil society activists, journalists and members of former government and security forces.

READ MORE: Dreams and years of hard work: What is at stake for Afghan women?